dunlop bounces back: "all balls aren't created equal"

Odd man out: The new Babolat balls being used at this year’s French Open has gathered some buzz in the interview room, with players griping about their speed (faster) and heaviness (“harder”), and with Babolat responding that they haven’t noticed a difference. The issue’s more apparent since this is now the only major red clay tournament that doesn’t use Dunlop for balls (the FFT chose to end its relationship with Dunlop, instead choosing Babolat).

Now Dunlop’s chimed in to negate claims by the FFT that the ball specifications are exactly the same. “It is impossible to replicate our balls and we felt it was important to clarify this fact given the statement from the FFT and media interest in the matter,” said Barry Leach, Managing Director of Dunlop. Should the FFT decide they would like to provide the ball consistency that the players desire then we would welcome the opportunity to make it happen”.

Meanwhile, 117 people are dead after a tornado hit the city of Joplin, Missouri…